In Good Faith: Lent Madness: The saintly smackdown!

Wednesday

Mar 5, 2014 at 10:27 AMMar 5, 2014 at 10:27 AM

By the Rev. Tim SchenckMore Content Now

Lent gets a bad rap. Yes, the church’s season of self-examination and repentance can feel like a spiritual wilderness. It’s hard work to fully embrace this time of preparation before Easter. Many people can’t see beyond attempting, and failing, to go 40 days and and 40 nights without chocolate.

Yet true engagement of Lent transcends the stereotypes -- it’s not about subsisting on twigs or walking around looking dour or practicing self-flagellation. Lent needn’t be all doom and gloom. Lent is, at its heart, an opportunity to grow closer to God, and what could be more joyful than a season specifically set aside to grow your faith?

It was with this sense of Lenten joy in mind that I created Lent Madness in 2010. Based loosely on the NCAA basketball tournament, Lent Madness pits 32 saints against one another in a single-elimination bracket. It’s fun and perhaps slightly irreverent, but ultimately it’s an online devotion designed to help people learn about some amazing people who are recognized as spiritual heroes.

Here’s how it works: On the weekdays of Lent, information is posted at www.lentmadness.org about two different saints. Each pairing remains open for 24 hours as participants read about and then vote to determine which saint moves on to the next round. Sixteen saints make it to the Round of the Saintly Sixteen; eight advance to the Round of the Elate Eight; four make it to the Faithful Four; two to the Championship; and the winner is awarded the coveted Golden Halo.

The first round consists of basic biographical information about each of the 32 saints. Things get a bit more interesting in the subsequent rounds as we offer quotes and quirks, explore legends and even move into the area of saintly kitsch.

Consider this your personal invitation to join in the 2014 saintly smackdown! This year Lent Madness features an intriguing slate of saints ancient and modern, Biblical and ecclesiastical from various traditions. The 2014 heavyweights include Thomas Merton, Catherine of Siena, J.S. Bach, David of Wales, John Wesley, Harriet Beecher Stowe, and Joseph of Arimathaea. The full bracket is at the Lent Madness website.

While I wrote everything myself the first couple of years, I have since partnered with Forward Movement, and we’ve expanded a lot. We now have 10 “celebrity bloggers” from across the country who do most of the writing, and I’ve moved into the role of editor and coach.

In the process, Lent Madness has become the world’s most popular online Lenten devotion (well, let’s be honest, there aren’t very many). Last year we reached over 50,000 people and were mentioned in everything from the Washington Post to USA Today to Sports Illustrated (seriously).

The madness all kicks off on “Ash Thursday,” March 6. To participate, visit the Lent Madness website and feel free to find us on Facebook and Twitter. Like that other March tournament, there will be drama and intrigue, upsets and thrashings, last-minute victories and Cinderellas.

Who will win this year’s Golden Halo? Who knows? It will take grit, determination, perseverance, and the obvious trait -- holiness. If you’re looking for a Lenten discipline that is fun, educational, occasionally goofy, and always joyful, join us on the Lent Madness journey. I guarantee you’ll find much inspiration from those who have come before us in the faith.

The Rev. Tim Schenck is Rector of the Episcopal Parish of St. John the Evangelist in Hingham, Mass. Visit his blog “Clergy Family Confidential” at frtim.wordpress.com or follow him on Twitter @FatherTim.